Fig. 3
From: Therapeutic strategies for cell-based neovascularization in critical limb ischemia
Combination therapy using hypoxic preconditioning and apelin. Hypoxic preconditioning and ischemic conditions upregulate the APJ receptor in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Preconditioned PBMNCs receive exogenous apelin, leading to the secretion of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB. Exogenous apelin induces upregulation of PDGF receptor-β in ischemic VSMCs. Subsequently, VSMCs are activated to mature newly formed vessels in ischemic tissue